FOR MOTHERS

●OBGYN experts/midwives will check on mums regularly to follow up on how well her uterus contracts and how well her wound heals, then answer any questions.

●A rehabilitation doctor will create and adjust a personalized rehabilitation plan for each mum.

Vaginal and abdominal wound care

Pain management

Therapy for mastitis

Rehabilitation of postpartum pubic symphysis separation

Rehabilitation of postpartum rectus abdominis separation

Rehabilitation of postpartum urine retention/incontinence

Rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles

Rehabilitation of postpartum back pain

Postpartum body-shaping/yoga, etc.

Specifically, they may adopt personalized physical therapy similar to Australian or American therapy for lower back pain or painless thumb massage for mastitis; and group training like post-partum exercise and yoga. Physical therapy equipment may be used to handle postpartum pains, help with wound healing, soften scars, treat mastitis and De ●Quervain’s tendinitis, and relieve back pain and lower limb edema.

●Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM-based guidance for postpartum recovery, support with lactation, constipation, depression, insomnia, back pain, and other common postpartum problems; weight-management.

●Scientific Breastfeeding Counseling: New moms need not worry about a lack of breastmilk and the pain of lactation. United Family Healthcare’s medical professionals will tell you how to breastfeed in the most scientific way according to international standards.

●Nutritional management: Professional nutritionists will build a scientific and nutritious meal plan; provide custom guidance for new moms according to their particular physical conditions, regional preferences, and breastfeeding phases.

●Mental health support: Custom-designed counseling for the new mom and her family by professional psychiatrists to help them through this challenging period in life.

●Entertainment: Activities are arranged based on the preferences of each mum.

During the first week after childbirth, rehabilitation doctors will guide the mum to do some pelvic floor muscle training (e.g. the Kegel exercise) based on the specific conditions of each mum, to improve muscle strength, pelvic blood flow, and neural sensitivity. Therapists will show the mum how to stand, roll over, and sit up correctly. This may sound funny but it is science. These have much to do with the pelvic pressure and pressure on your lower back. Therapists will also evaluate the functions of the mum’s abdominal muscles and help them do exercises to stimulate these muscles, e.g. abdominal respiration, kenesio taping, etc. These will stimulate the abdominal muscles without causing extra stress to the abdomen and back. In summary, it is alright to start some easy exercises in the first week after childbirth as long as the exercise does not cause any lasting pain or excessive fatigue.

During the second week, rehabilitation doctors will continue to give instructions for pelvic floor muscle training and therapists will encourage the mum to try some light exercise on cushions, e.g. some stretch positions to relax back muscles and relieve the stress and fatigue caused by long periods of bending down for breastfeeding and baby care.

In the third and fourth week, besides continuing with mild exercises on cushions, therapists will also organize some group training for mums to further strengthen their muscles and stimulate the core muscles, still following the principle of not causing lasting pain or excessive fatigue. Group training sessions offer an opportunity for mums to share experiences, and encourage one another so they are more effective than individual training sessions.